New Mexico, Oregon order Covid-19 shutdown as cases reach ‘breaking point’



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New Mexico and Oregon will shut down businesses for two weeks in an attempt to curb the growing spread of Covid-19, their governors announced Friday.

Starting Monday in New Mexico, essential businesses can operate at “limited occupancy” and state residents can leave their homes only on “essential travel.”

“Food and beverage establishments can provide curbside pickup and delivery; meals on site are prohibited, ”says Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s order. “Non-core entities, including close-touch businesses, must reduce headcount and face-to-face activities by 100%.”

Infections, hospitalizations and deaths increased in New Mexico, where there were 1,176 Covid-19 deaths as of Thursday, up more than 100 just a week earlier.

“New Mexico is at breaking point”, Lujan Grisham said in a press release. “We are faced with a life and death situation, and we must act and will act to save the lives of New Mexicans.”

In Oregon, Governor Kate Brown has ordered a two-week “freeze” starting next Wednesday that will force grocery stores, drugstores and retail stores to limit capacity to 75 percent. Churches can only have 25 people inside and 50 people outside.

Many other businesses, such as gymnasiums and fitness centers, museums, swimming pools, sports fields, cinemas, zoos, gardens, aquariums and halls, will have to be closed all together.

Restaurants and bars, which operated between 50 and 100 customers depending on local regulations, will now be limited to take-out only.

And private social gatherings will be limited to six people from no more than two households.

“These risk reduction measures are essential to limit the spread of COVID-19, reduce the risk in communities more vulnerable to serious illness and death, and help conserve hospital capacity so all Oregonians can continue to have access. to quality care, ”Brown’s office said. in a report.

Oregon reported seven new deaths and 1,076 additional cases on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed.



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